Khajuraho Favorites

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Favorite thing: One of the most beautiful elements of the Khajuraho statuary is the depiction of women in what is probably every-day life. There are a number of activities which are repeated - here you can see women painting their feet, probably with henna. A suggestion for the first one is that she is removing a thorn from her foot, but I think it is possible to see the paintbrush in her hand.

Favorite thing: When the temples of Khajuraho were rediscovered in the 19th century by a British officer, TS Burt, he was quite shocked, and apparently described the carvings as being 'a little warmer' than necessary!

Looking at this depiction of what appears to be bestiality, one can sympathise!

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Favorite thing: The Kama Sutra continues - a wide variety of positions are on display across the temple walls! Here you can see the carnal act being performed from behind, a 'reverse cowgirl' (!), a 69 position, fellatio, and a foursome!

Favorite thing: The erotica is probably the single most famous aspect of the Khajuraho temples. Some scholars believe it to be a 'kama sutra in stone' - a guide for boys brought up all-male temple schools. Another theory is that they are there to protect the temples from lightning, since the rain god Indra enjoyed voyeurism and wouldn't want them destroyed. The theory currently considered the most plausible is that they relate to Tantrism, where the gratification of sensual desires is a way to achieve transcendance.

This couple clearly show a joyous celebration of this aspect of life.

Fondest memory: Khajuraho a place once well-known for Khajoor (dates) trees. Later periods broom making cottage industries flattened all the trees to flourish this business. Now it is very hard to find date tree in Khajuraho. Nearly 150kms from Jhansi railway station and 650kms from New Delhi (India) is also renowned for 25 mystery structures. In fact these structures are no ordinary, rather, are temples of ancient Chandella rulers (AD 900 – 1130). It is now part of world heritage list and world tourists visit the spot to appreciate the architectural values of combination between sexual and ritual positions sculpted on the walls justify the real sense of life of human intelligence towards spiritual gain.

Fondest memory: Photograph of the Rajgarh Palace at Datia in Madhya Pradesh, taken by Deen Dayal in the 1870s. Datia was the capital of the principality of the same name under the Bundela Rajputs in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Rajgarh Palace, seen in this view, is situated west of the old palace known as Nrising Dev Palace or Govind Mandir (c.1620). It was built by Subhakaran and accomodates governments offices.

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Fondest memory: Situated at about 2 km from the small town of Sanquelim and 8 km from Bicholim, in Valpoi taluka, North Goa, the Aravalem waterfalls are 50mts high. The Arvalem Waterfall is also a very scenic and beautiful picnic spot.

The Rudreshwar temple is also located here just besides the waterfall. One can reach the beautiful waterfall by descending the staircase after leaving the Rudreshwar temple. The best time to visit the place is after the monsoons. The water flow here during the monsoon is quite less. It has a lot of greenery all round with fruit laden trees with various fruits such as bananas, bread fruits and coconut palms to name a few.

Seasoned swimmers are often tempted once they reach the area. The ancient caves situated nearby known as the Aravalem caves or the Pandava caves is another major attraction in the place for the filmmakers as a favourite shooting spot in Goa.

Favorite thing: There's only so much you can figure out on your own. I've made the mistake many times of trying to puzzle it out with a guide book since there are so many scammers whose only knowledge IS from those books.

But if you ask questions and they sound informed and intelligent, bargain for your best price - it's a small price to pay for going all that way and not missing the point...

Fondest memory: My guide came up to me in the primary temples and offered to show me around the western group. I must have showed my skepticism because he gave me a half hour 'freebie' tour that really did open my eyes, including this image of royal lovers and their attendants.